Slovakia's Russian oil ultimatum to the EU: Energy crisis takes on a new dimension

Tensions are rising in the energy crisis shaking Central Europe. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris in the coming days to bring up the resumption of oil flows from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline.

Slovakia and Hungary claim that repairs to the pipeline, which was damaged during Russian attacks in January, are being delayed by Ukraine and that this is being used for political purposes. In a statement on social media, Fico expressed that blocking the 90 billion euro EU aid package to Ukraine remains a bargaining chip.

Fico drew attention with these words:

"Blocking this massive military gift (the 90 billion euro loan) to Ukraine is a legitimate tool to ensure the restoration of oil supplies. If necessary, we are ready to take the baton from Hungary on this issue."

The Ukrainian side, however, maintains that the oil pipeline has been severely damaged and argues that repairs cannot be completed in the short term. In contrast, both Slovakia and Hungary believe that the Kyiv administration is holding the interruption in oil flow as a bargaining element.

With the crisis, Slovakia has also halted the emergency electricity support it was providing to Ukraine. The European Commission has announced that it is working on various solutions, including financial support, to restore the flow in the pipeline to its previous state.

This tension over energy supply has brought the debate on Europe's dependence on Russian energy sources back to the agenda, while the roadmap that EU leaders will draw in the coming days remains a subject of curiosity.

News Source: 12punto